U.S. patent application number 17/249219 was filed with the patent office on 2021-06-17 for hidden fastener to secure loose vinyl siding.
The applicant listed for this patent is John David Donnelly. Invention is credited to John David Donnelly.
Application Number | 20210180331 17/249219 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005419948 |
Filed Date | 2021-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210180331 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Donnelly; John David |
June 17, 2021 |
HIDDEN FASTENER TO SECURE LOOSE VINYL SIDING
Abstract
A hidden siding fastener is provided. The hidden siding fastener
includes an upper nail hem hook and an opposing lower pressure
point, fold point and lock engagement hook extending therefrom. The
nail hem hook is threaded through the back side of a lower piece of
siding panel so that the lock engagement hook can nest into a
siding lock slot of the same siding panel. Thereby, a separate
upper piece of siding panel and specifically its siding lock hook
can operatively associate with the lock engagement hook and fold
point in a locked engagement, while the pressure point urges a more
secure locked engagement between the two pieces of siding
panel.
Inventors: |
Donnelly; John David; (Cedar
Springs, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Donnelly; John David |
Cedar Springs |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005419948 |
Appl. No.: |
17/249219 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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16750476 |
Jan 23, 2020 |
10961717 |
|
|
17249219 |
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62795762 |
Jan 23, 2019 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/0835 20130101;
E04F 13/0848 20130101; E04B 1/6104 20130101; E04F 13/0833 20130101;
E04F 13/18 20130101; E04F 13/0864 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04F 13/08 20060101
E04F013/08; E04B 1/61 20060101 E04B001/61 |
Claims
1. A method for forming a locked engagement an upper siding panel
and a lower siding panel, comprising: providing a siding fastener
comprising: a front plate extending between an upper end and a
lower end; the upper end turns radially until transitioning into a
nail hem hook extending diagonally downward away from the upper
end; the lower end turns diagonally downward and rearward, at a
pressure point, until transitioning radially upward, and further
rearward, to define a lower fold; the lower fold radially turns at
a fold point toward the lower end; and a lock engagement hook
extends upwardly and rearward from a distal end of the lower fold;
providing a lower siding panel having a nail hem; providing an
upper siding panel having a siding lock hook extending from a lower
edge; nesting the lock engagement hook in the siding lock slot;
bending a top portion of the front plate over the nail hem; and
associating the siding lock hook with the lock engagement hook in
the locked engagement.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure point operatively
associates with an interior portion of the upper siding panel so as
to urge said siding lock hook, whereby further securing the locked
engagement.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the lower fold is disposed
downward of the siding lock slot, whereby the siding lock hook can
engage said lower fold outside of the siding lock slot.
4. A siding fastener, comprising: a front plate extending between
an upper end and a lower end; the upper end turns radially until
transitioning into a nail hem hook extending diagonally downward
away from the upper end; the lower end turns diagonally downward
and rearward, at a pressure point, until transitioning radially
upward, and further rearward, to define a lower fold; the lower
fold radially turns at a fold point toward the lower end; and a
lock engagement hook extends upwardly and rearward from a distal
end of the lower fold.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application number 62/795,762, filed 23-Jan.-2019, and
U.S. NON-provisional application number 16/750,476, filed
23-Jan.-2020 as a continuation thereof, the contents of both are
herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to construction technology
and, more particularly, to a hidden fastener to secure loose siding
on commercial and residential construction.
[0003] Vinyl and aluminum siding often unlock because of poor
installation, low quality, time, gravity, and/or weather
conditions. Caulk and nails can be aesthetically displeasing and
messy, and may restrict movement of the siding, potentially causing
the siding to buckle. Shrink strips can be used, but do not fasten
to the siding when installed, essentially floating between the two
locking mechanisms. This leaves the siding more vulnerable to
unlocking. Moreover, shrink strip typically must be custom made to
extend the lock, this requiring special materials and some
mechanical skills, and thus an additional expense. As a result, all
of the above-mentioned methods require special tools or
materials.
[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for a hidden fastener to
secure loose siding on commercial and residential construction. The
hidden siding fastener embodied in the present invention is
dimensioned and adapted to be manufactured and installed to fit the
gap between the two loose or separated locking mechanisms of two
interlocking pieces of siding. The hidden siding fastener extends
downward the top locking slot of the lower piece of siding, giving
the bottom lock of the upper piece of siding more area to attach
to. The hidden siding fastener is secured to the siding yet allows
the siding to expand and contract.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a siding fastener
not visible when facilitating a locked engagement between two
adjacent siding panels includes the following: a front plate
extending between an upper end and a lower end; the front plate
having a rearward surface and an opposing forward surface; the
upper end turns radially until transitioning into a nail hem hook
portion extending diagonally downward away from the upper end and
adjacent the rearward surface; a threading bend depends from the
nail hem hook in an orientation generally parallel with the front
plate; lower end turns diagonally downward and rearward, at a
pressure point, until transitioning radially upward, and further
rearward, to form or define a lower fold; the lower fold radially
turns generally 180-degrees at a fold point toward the lower end;
and a lock engagement hook extends upwardly and rearward from the
distal end of the lower fold.
[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a method for
forming a locked engagement an upper siding panel and a lower
siding panel with a siding fastener not visible when facilitating
the locked engagement includes the following: providing the
above-mentioned siding fastener; providing the upper siding panel
having a nail hem, nail hem hole and siding lock slot spaced apart,
respectively, from an upper edge; attaching providing the lower
siding panel having a siding lock hook extending from a lower edge;
sliding the threading bend through the nail hem hole; nesting the
lock engagement hook in the siding lock slot; bending a top portion
of the front plate over the nail hem; and associating the siding
lock hook with the lock engagement hook in the locked
engagement.
[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, shown installed on a nail hem
32;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, shown installed on the nail hem 32;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, illustrating the insertion of a nail hem
hook 14 through a nail hem hole 34;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating the first step of installation;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating the second step of
installation;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating the third step of installation;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating the fourth step of
installation;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, shown installed on nail hem 32 and securing a
siding lock hook 38;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating the siding lock hook 38 of the
upper piece of siding 30 staying secured even after slipping out of
the siding lock slot 36 because of the extension characteristic of
the lower fold 21 and the locking engagement of the lock engagement
hook 22;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, shown in an alternative first installation
step;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, shown in an alternative second installation
step;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, shown in an alternative third installation
step;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, shown in the alternative first installation
step; and
[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, shown in the alternative third installation
step.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0025] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
hidden siding fastener that provides an upper nail hem hook and a
lower pressure point, fold point and lock engagement hook extending
therefrom. The nail hem hook is threaded through the back side of a
lower piece of siding panel so that the lock engagement hook can
nest into a siding lock slot of the same siding panel. Thereby, an
upper piece of siding panel and specifically its siding lock hook
can operatively associate with the lock engagement hook and fold
point in a locked engagement, while the pressure point urges a more
secure locked engagement between the two pieces of siding
panel.
[0026] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the
use of directional terms such as upper, upward, downward, lower,
rearward, forward and the like are used in relation to the
illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the
upward (or upper) direction being toward the top of the
corresponding figures, the downward (or lower) direction being
toward the bottom of the corresponding figures, while rearward is
the direction the nail hem hook and lower fold extend in the
corresponding figures.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 15, the present invention may
include a hidden siding fastener 10. The hidden siding fastener 10
may be, but is not limited to, .020 aluminum sheet metal, various
metallic and plasticized materials, or the like. Using a small
gauge aluminum may be necessary for ease of installation when
bending the hidden siding fastener 10 over a top edge of a nail hem
of a lower piece of siding 30, and to prevent rusting.
[0028] The sheet metal may be cut into strips approximately
3/4-inch .times.6 inches. A series of various bends are made to
form the hidden siding fastener 10. This could be accomplished by
using a hand tool, forming the metal strip around a mold, or a
combination of hand tools, molds, and automated equipment.
[0029] The hidden siding fastener 10 may provide a front plate 12
extending between an upper end 15 and an opposing lower end. The
front plate 12 has a front surface 121 and an opposing rear surface
122.
[0030] The upper end 15 turns radially until transitioning into a
nail hem hook portion 14 that extends diagonally downward away from
the upper end 15 and adjacent the rear surface 122 (i.e.,
rearward). The nail hem hook portion 14 then bends further
downward, generally parallel with the front plate 12, as the nail
hem hook portion 14 transitions to a threading bend 16 which
terminating at a distal end.
[0031] The lower end turns diagonally downward and rearward, at a
pressure point 18, until transitioning radially upward, and further
rearward, to form a lower fold 21. The lower fold 21 radially turns
generally 180-degrees at a fold point 20 toward the downward turn
of the lower end. A lock engagement hook 22 extends upwardly and
rearward from the distal end of the lower fold 21. The shape of the
lower fold 21 biases the lock engagement hook 22 and the front
plate 12 a predetermined distance apart.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 6 through 9, residential and commercial
building siding 30 terminates along an upper edge in a nail hem 32.
The nail hem 32 is spaced apart from a siding lock slot 36, and
between the siding lock slot 36 and nail hem 32 are a plurality of
spaced apart nail hem holes 34. Along a lower edge of the siding
30, is a hook-shaped siding lock hook 38 is provided, as
illustrated in FIGS. 10-11, for associating with the siding lock
slot 36 in a locking engagement.
[0033] A method of using the present invention may include the
following. The hidden siding fastener 10 disclosed above may be
provided. The threading bend 16 may be inserted through the
backside of the siding's nail hem hole 34 (with the lock engagement
hook 22 facing the exterior of the siding 30) then push the lock
engagement hook 22 past the bottom edge of the siding's lock slot
36. The lock engagement hook 22 is then inserted into the siding
lock slot 36. Then the hidden siding fastener 10 is pulled up tight
to the siding lock 36. The top of the front plate 12 is the folded
over the top of the vinyl siding's nail hem 32. This prevents the
hidden siding fastener 10 from moving and loosening. The bottom
siding lock 38 of an upper piece of siding 38 is then fastened to
the hidden siding fastener 10 as the siding lock hook 38 is slid
between the siding 30 and the lock engagement hook 22 to form a
locked engagement with the lock engagement hook 22 and the lower
fold 21, that effectively extends the siding lock slot 36.
[0034] The lower fold 21 extends the purchase of the siding lock
hook 38 preventing the upper piece of siding's lock from becoming
loose or detached, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The pressure point 18
is dimensioned and adapted to push against the upper piece of
siding's interior wall, wherein the pressure point operatively
associates with an interior portion of the upper siding panel so as
to urge said siding lock hook 38, further securing the locked
engagement of the siding lock hook 38 and the lock engagement hook
22 in the siding lock slot 36.
[0035] The lock engagement hook 22 also pushes, by occupying a
portion of the siding lock slot 36, the siding lock hook 38 toward
the exterior face of the lower piece of siding. This tightens the
two locking mechanisms together, reducing the chances of loosening
or unlocking. Also, the lower fold is disposed downward of the
siding lock slot 36, whereby the siding lock hook 38 can engage
said lower fold 21 outside of the siding lock slot 36, for instance
where there is slippage between the lower siding panel and the
upper siding panel.
[0036] Another way of describing how to install the present
invention includes the following: a user could hold the hidden
siding fastener 10 in front of them in a vertical position, with
the flat forward portion of the front plate surface 12 facing them.
The nail hem hook 14 should be upwardly oriented and extending away
from the user, with the lock engagement hook 22 on the bottom. The
user would place the nail hem hook 14 over the top of the siding's
nail hem 32, while keeping the bottom lock engagement hook 22 on
the front of the siding panel 30. As the user pulls down on the
hidden siding fastener 10, they thread the nail hem hook 14 (that
is behind the siding's nail hem hole 34) through the backside of
the siding's nail hem hole 34 so that the nail hem hook 14 is urged
forward through the front side of the siding panel 30. The user
could continue to thread the nail hem hook 14 through the backside
of the nail hem hole 34 and position the lock engagement hook 22
below the siding's lock slot 36 so that the lock engagement hook 22
will slide up into the siding's lock slot 36. Then the user may
urge the hidden siding fastener 10 up so the lock engagement hook
22 is fully inserted in the siding's lock slot 36. Keeping the
hidden siding fastener 10 pulled up snug, the user may fold the top
portion of the front plate 12 180 degrees back over the top of the
siding's nail hem 32, folding it back behind the lower piece siding
30. The hidden siding fastener 10 is now installed and a separate
upper piece of siding 30 may be re-attached over the hidden siding
fastener 10. The hidden siding fastener 10 could be fastened with
nails, screws, snaps, caulk, glue or create other pressure or catch
points to secure it in place.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 12-16, an alternative installation method
is provided even though the hidden siding fastener 10 may be
structurally identical to the devices shown FIGS. 1- 11. In short,
in the alternative installation, the nail hem hook portion 14 is
not be threaded through the nail hem hole 34 of the nail hem 32 of
the piece of siding 30. In the alternative installation first step,
the lock engagement hook 22 may be push up into the siding's
locking mechanism/siding lock slot 36. Then the hidden siding
fastener 10 is pulled up tight, nested in the siding lock 36. Then
in the alternative installation second step, the top of the front
plate 12 of the hidden siding fastener 10 is folded over the top of
the siding's nail hem 32. At which time the alternative
installation third step contemplates the top of the front plate 12
bending up to 180 degrees back over the top of the siding's nail
hem 32, folding it back behind the lower piece siding 30, out of
sight and preventing the hidden siding fastener 10 from moving and
loosening. The bottom siding lock 38 of an upper piece of siding 38
is then fastened to the hidden siding fastener 10 as the siding
lock hook 38 is slid between the siding 30 and the lock engagement
hook 22 to form a locked engagement with the lock engagement hook
22 and the lower fold 21, that effectively extends the siding lock
slot 36.
[0038] This method of alternative installation may be necessary on
aluminum siding because the nail slots are not wide enough to
receive the fastener through them. This method of alternative
installation essentially allows the hidden siding fastener 10 to
perform the same as the earlier disclosed installation method,
without inserting the hidden siding fastener 10 through the nail
hem hole 34; though, when the fastener is not installed through the
nail slot there is potential for the fastener to shift and move
because of the expansion and contraction of the siding.
[0039] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *